Bougainville swears in new parliament

10:33 am on 16 June 2015

The autonomous Papua New Guinea region of Bougainville has today sworn in members of parliament following the six week long election process.

Guests for the inauguration of John Momis, who was easily re-elected president, included the acting PNG Prime Minister, Leo Dion, the Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia and the newly re-appointed PNG police chief Gari Baki.

The Post Courier reports others wanting to attend the inauguration had begun arriving in Buka on Saturday.

The new ABG is expected to quickly settle into its work to prepare the autonomous region for a referendum to consider whether to embrace full independence or stay in the PNG fold.

That process needs to be completed before 2020.

Meanwhile an international observer group, that had been in Bougainville to monitor the poll, has praised officials, saying the vote count was carried out with integrity, and the process transparent.

Bougainville readies for election

Bougainville readies for election Photo: AFP